CORONA, Calif., (April 16, 2008) – Monster Energy/CAS Honda’s Billy MacKenzie’s domination of MX1 continued at Torrington (UK) with an overwhelming performance in the third round of the Maxxis British Motocross Championship. Yet again the CAS Honda rider was in a class of his own, qualifying on the top spot more than eight seconds faster than any other rider and going on to win both races by an impressive margin in appalling conditions.

Heavy rain in North Devon during the days leading up to the race nearly saw the event called off. The outcome could so easily have been a lottery, but MacKenzie showed a maturity beyond his years to overcome the muddy track and fight off his rivals. After qualifying in pole position, MacKenzie claimed the hole shot in his first race and was never in any danger of being overhauled, eventually finishing 64 seconds ahead of his nearest rival.

That was a hard act to follow, but the talented Scottish rider went one better in race two – this time snatching hole shot and finishing 96 seconds ahead of the runner-up.

In MX2, Mike Brown suffered mixed fortunes. After qualifying in seventh, the American rider fought to third place at the first corner, but crashed soon afterwards and went back to 10th place – the position where he eventually finished the race.

In race two, Brown was in second place at the first corner, but it was a false start. In the re-start, he did even better by grabbing hole shot, but he was soon embroiled in a battle with Stephen Sword, winner of the first race, which ended in disaster for both riders when they attempted to take the same line on a corner and crashed. Both riders had problems getting their machines re-started and ended up at the back of the field, but Brown bravely fought his way through the pack to finish in a very creditable ninth place.

“Billy’s performance was awesome – he was in a class of his own,” said CAS Honda team manager, Neil Prince.”This is a great loosener for next week’s Grand Prix in Spain.

“Mike had some problems, but he showed real determination and put up a great performance in his second race.”

Billy MacKenzie: “I am very happy with my results from today, I now have a 46 point lead in the championship, and this gives me more confidence to take it to them in Spain this coming weekend.”

Mike Brown had been disappointed with his first race and stated that “This gave me the determination to go out in the 2nd race and fight at the front.” Mike showed his true grit and claimed the fastest lap of the race.

This in from the Yamaha-Gariboldi Racing team, who hook everybody up with Monster Energy product at the European MX Championships!

It was a good job done by the spanish José Butron, Yamaha-Gariboldi Racing Team, this weekend in France against the strong competition of the french riders. Butron run two solid motos and finished a very good 5th overall just behind the local riders and he still leads the european championship MX2 !

José Butron, Yamaha-Gariboldi/Meca Motor Racing 5th:

"I'm delighted to have kept my red plate after this hard round in France, the track was changing every time and it was difficult for everybody. The championship is very long and it's important to finish in the first five every race."